See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

Hi. I have been using the NuvaRing for over 2 years for heavy bleeding with what I thought were great results (no more bleeding). The doctor prescribed no week free due to the heavy bleeding when I use it that way. I just saw another doctor yesterday to get it renewed and she said I should not be on the Nuva at all due to the fact that I am not young (I am 46) and I am on clonidine for high blood pressure. My questions are: Why would the doctor who prescribed it (I was diagnosed with hypertension in June of last year, but have actually had it for a long time, but just got put on clonidine in June) not tell me about it making hypertension worse and why would he renew it? Or is it that the other doctor who wants me to try Depo-Medrol injection not know what she is talking about. I am so confused! Please help. Thanks!

Thanks for your Reply!

11 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureHi. I have been using the NuvaRing for over 2 years for heavy bleeding with what I thought were great results (no more bleeding). The doctor prescribed no week free due to the heavy bleeding when I use it that way. I just saw another doctor yesterday to get it renewed and she said I should not be on the Nuva at all due to the fact that I am not young (I am 46) and I am on clonidine for high blood pressure. My questions are: Why would the doctor who prescribed it (I was diagnosed with hypertension in June of last year, but have actually had it for a long time, but just got put on clonidine in June) not tell me about it making hypertension worse and why would he renew it? Or is it that the other doctor who wants me to try Depo-Medrol injection not know what she is talking about. I am so confused! Please help. Thanks!

Dear missjennifer: If one looks at the guidelines about combined oral contraceptives (would apply to the NuvaRing, too) older women can use these hormones if they are non-smokers, have no history of deep vein thromboses, are not diabetic, are not obeses, and have well controlled blood pressure (including those taking medications). Here is a citation from the American Academy of Family Physicians, targeted to health care providers, which summarizes the medical contraindications to NuvaRing use (and other forms of birth control): [a title="Link: undefined">http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0915/p621.html

If we do give hormonal birth control to a woman with an elevated blood pressure (on meds or not) we usually have her back in to recheck blood pressure when on, say birth control pills (BCPs). If BCPs seem to make blood pressure worse she is taken off. My best GUESS is that you may not have had severe hypertension, and that the Ring did not worsen your BP.

While there are guidelines, what an individual MD decides they are comfortable with is what they will do. Your experience with the two MDs' response to the same patient is a case in point. I do not know your full history (especially your BP numbers and body weight) but I would suspect that your original MD was still within "standards of good practice". If you went back to your original MD they might renew your NuvaRing prescription.

Again, my best GUESS is that the newer MD wants to try you of DepoProvera rather than the NuvaRing. DepoProvera does not contain any estrogen; it is a higher dose of synthetic progesterone. DepoProvera is designed to eliminate menstrual bleeding but some women can experience erratic breakthrough bleeding.

Every method of birth control has its pluses and minuses. Which ever MD you decide to utilize, be sure to ask lots of questions about the method they suggest. You are asking all the right questions--keep it up.

Yours,Jane

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureDear missjennifer: If one looks at the guidelines about combined oral contraceptives (would apply to the NuvaRing, too) older women can use these hormones if they are non-smokers, have no history of deep vein thromboses, are not diabetic, are not obeses, and have well controlled blood pressure (including those taking medications). Here is a citation from the American Academy of Family Physicians, targeted to health care providers, which summarizes the medical contraindications to NuvaRing use (and other forms of birth control): [a title="Link: undefined">http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0915/p621.html

If we do give hormonal birth control to a woman with an elevated blood pressure (on meds or not) we usually have her back in to recheck blood pressure when on, say birth control pills (BCPs). If BCPs seem to make blood pressure worse she is taken off. My best GUESS is that you may not have had severe hypertension, and that the Ring did not worsen your BP.

While there are guidelines, what an individual MD decides they are comfortable with is what they will do. Your experience with the two MDs' response to the same patient is a case in point. I do not know your full history (especially your BP numbers and body weight) but I would suspect that your original MD was still within "standards of good practice". If you went back to your original MD they might renew your NuvaRing prescription.

Again, my best GUESS is that the newer MD wants to try you of DepoProvera rather than the NuvaRing. DepoProvera does not contain any estrogen; it is a higher dose of synthetic progesterone. DepoProvera is designed to eliminate menstrual bleeding but some women can experience erratic breakthrough bleeding.

Every method of birth control has its pluses and minuses. Which ever MD you decide to utilize, be sure to ask lots of questions about the method they suggest. You are asking all the right questions--keep it up.

Thanks so much!! I meant to add that my BP has been running (the last 2 times checked, which have been within the last months) 120/95 and 120/90. Thank you again!!

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureThanks so much!! I meant to add that my BP has been running (the last 2 times checked, which have been within the last months) 120/95 and 120/90. Thank you again!!

Dear missjennifer: Gosh, with a diastolic of 90-95 while on medication (Clonidine) I can GUESS that your second MD did not feel BP was well controlled on medication. That leaves you with options such as non-estrogen types of contraception (eg Mirena IUD with synthetic progesterone, DepoProvera injection, progestin only mini-pill, and Implanon) or getting BP diastolic down with other measures/meds. Hope you can identify, with your MDs, what will be best for you.

Yours,Jane

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureDear missjennifer: Gosh, with a diastolic of 90-95 while on medication (Clonidine) I can GUESS that your second MD did not feel BP was well controlled on medication. That leaves you with options such as non-estrogen types of contraception (eg Mirena IUD with synthetic progesterone, DepoProvera injection, progestin only mini-pill, and Implanon) or getting BP diastolic down with other measures/meds. Hope you can identify, with your MDs, what will be best for you.

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureDear missjennifer: Depo-Medrol is not a method of birth control as is DepoProvera. Depo Medrol is an injectable form of steroids. Here's more information about DepoMedrol:

Dear missjennifer: Got it! In terms of medication approaches, you options might be: Mirena IUD with synthetic progesterone, DepoProvera injection, Provera pills taken continuously, progestin only mini-pill, and Implanon. An endometrial ablation (lining of the uterus is removed so hormones stay the same but there is little to no lining to respond with a flow) is a procedure that might be discussed.

Dang, it should be so much easier to get your BP down so you could continue with the NuvaRing that you are using successfully.

Yours,Jane

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureDear missjennifer: Got it! In terms of medication approaches, you options might be: Mirena IUD with synthetic progesterone, DepoProvera injection, Provera pills taken continuously, progestin only mini-pill, and Implanon. An endometrial ablation (lining of the uterus is removed so hormones stay the same but there is little to no lining to respond with a flow) is a procedure that might be discussed.

Dang, it should be so much easier to get your BP down so you could continue with the NuvaRing that you are using successfully.

I definitely wish it was much easier:) I have changed my diet and am going to start exercising, and I am doing a lot of things to relax myself so I am hoping that will help. I am wondering if she got Depo-Medrol confused with Depo Provera. Hmmm, that makes me nervous since my appt is today:(

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureI definitely wish it was much easier:) I have changed my diet and am going to start exercising, and I am doing a lot of things to relax myself so I am hoping that will help. I am wondering if she got Depo-Medrol confused with Depo Provera. Hmmm, that makes me nervous since my appt is today:(

Hi again!! I hope you see this. I have had nothing but trouble trying to get in to get my Nuva refilled (decided against the depo due to side effects). I have already left this one in for almost 4 weeks (will be 4 on Thursday). Should i go ahead and take it out now or can it wait until Thursday?

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureHi again!! I hope you see this. I have had nothing but trouble trying to get in to get my Nuva refilled (decided against the depo due to side effects). I have already left this one in for almost 4 weeks (will be 4 on Thursday). Should i go ahead and take it out now or can it wait until Thursday?

Dear missjennifer: There is enough hormone in the NuvaRing for four weeks of contraceptive protection. But by this Thursday it should be removed. Then, most likely, you will have some type of bleed just like what you would have had after three weeks of use followed by a week away from the hormones.

Yours,Jane

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:NuvaRing and high blood pressureDear missjennifer: There is enough hormone in the NuvaRing for four weeks of contraceptive protection. But by this Thursday it should be removed. Then, most likely, you will have some type of bleed just like what you would have had after three weeks of use followed by a week away from the hormones.

Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.